In what will likely be the first of many, a Celebration of Life for Jimmy Flynn goes down tonight (January 3) at The Middle East in Cambridge. A longtime musician, promoter, and supporter of the Boston punk and hardcore scenes, described by many as the architect of Boston hardcore, Flynn passed away on December 25 after a long illness. The Quincy native was 40.
It’s fitting that the inaugural tribute takes place in Central Square, not far from Flynn’s own Hardcore Stadium, the Elks Lodge location on Bishop Allen Drive that he would launch, booking countless bands and shows that helped maintain and sustain the local scene. Playing tonight’s show are Fiddlehead, COA, and Final Gasp.
“Come raise your glass for Jimmy and bang out of work Thursday morning,” writes COA on Instagram. “This is but the first event in honor of our friend Jimmy. The low door price and the large venue is to make sure we all can be together. If you don’t have the money, simply ask for a list spot. This event is so we can all see each other.”
Fiddlehead echoes the sentiment, adding: “We are putting on a last minute show to celebrate the life of our late friend Jimmy Flynn. Gonna try and do some covers Jimmy would have loved to hear. BHC forever.”
A GoFundMe has been established in Flynn’s name, and all proceeds are set “to go directly to Jimmy’s family to cover funeral costs.” It has currently raised more than $45,000 through over 700 donations. “If life was a game of passion & affection, Jimmy Flynn won,” writes Austin Sparkman, who created the GoFundMe page. Memorial shirts are also available here and here.
THE FRIENDS OF HARDCORE STADIUM PRESENT THE 1ST CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR JIMMY FLYNN :: Wednesday, January 3 at The Middle East, 472 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, MA :: 7 p.m., all ages, $10 :: Event info
